Puzzle with tactile clues

ABSTRACT

A puzzle with tactile clues that includes a tactile image that can be felt by a visually impaired person includes orientation indicia for the puzzle, as well as orientation indicia for individual pieces. The puzzle orientation indicia are raised, distinguishable clues. The piece orientation indicia are indicated by the shape of the tabs and blanks. The puzzle is waterjet cut to ensure a tight tolerance, and constructed of a washable material so it can be disinfected. Optionally, a guide puzzle of less difficulty may be included with the primary puzzle to instruct the assembler on assembly and the final image.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a puzzle with tactile clues that is able to be enjoyed by both the sighted and the visually impaired. The puzzle with tactile clues has particular utility in connection with the teaching of and leisure and enjoyment available to, those with limited or no vision.

Description of the Prior Art

Puzzles have long been used for leisure and entertainment, and are also an important part of the educational formation of young people. The first puzzles were based on maps, called dissections, and used to teach geography. Puzzles later became a source of entertainment and leisure. Puzzles created from wood and cut by fretsaw soared in popularity during the Great Depression; modern die-cut cardboard puzzles first became popular around WWII.

Recognition of shapes and how pieces connect are important to visual and spatial awareness, and completion rewards assemblers with a sense of accomplishment. Unfortunately, visually impaired people are often omitted from the pleasure and benefit of puzzles. This is to the detriment of both the visually impaired, and of parents who might enjoy sharing such activities with visually impaired children. Prior art has previously attempted to address this deficiency.

United States Patent Number 941,680 to Houghton discloses a raised puzzle for the blind. However, the Houghton '680 patent is not readily printed like other puzzles, and has further drawbacks of requiring a receiving tray.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,074,989 to Bassett discloses a puzzle with pieces with raised indicums that provide clues as to the position of the piece within a physical frame. In the Bassett '989 patent, the piece indicums provide the specific location of the piece within the puzzle, rather than challenging the visually-impaired user to assemble the puzzle in a method similar to a sighted assembler, but using touch, rather than sight, to orient and interlock the pieces.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 9,836,981 B2 to Skeete and Fields discloses a puzzle teaching system that uses magnets and electronic sensors to assist in assembly. Although the Skeete '981 patent includes three-dimensional indicia for additional assistance, such indicia are used to convey information about the puzzle image, which is a map, and not used to provide general orientation without revealing a specific position.

U.S. Pat. No. 11,198,056 to Greenawalt et al. discloses a multiple level jigsaw puzzle that could provide tactile feedback. The Greenawalt '056 patent uses a raised-relief 3D effect to display its image. However, the multilevel jigsaw puzzle of the Greenawalt '056 patent is not easily printed.

US Patent Application Publication 2021/0060410 to Sakdinan describes a three-dimensional puzzle with tactile response. Although the publication states the various textures of the puzzle would add an additional sensory element that could aid the visually impaired, this is based on the image having a raised image, and the tactile response is when the pieces are depressed: the publication does not disclose systematic clues for orientation of individual pieces and assembly of the puzzle. The publication also discloses an upper-layer puzzle material such as polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane leather, or leather for a premium feel, however, the puzzle of the '410 publication also has a paper-backing layer, which is not durable for sanitation and washing.

Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved puzzle with tactile clues that can be used for the teaching, enjoyment and leisure of the visually impaired. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. In this respect, the puzzle with tactile clues according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides a kit that can be readily printed, disinfected between users, simultaneously enjoyed by the sighted and the visually impaired, and provides an image that can be felt by the visually impaired, as well as tactile clues that reveal puzzle and individual piece orientation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of puzzles now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved puzzle with tactile clues, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved puzzle with tactile clues which has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a puzzle with tactile clues which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a puzzle printed with raised print technology that allows a visually impaired assembler to “feel” the image. The puzzle also incorporates indicia for the orientation of the puzzle on either, or optionally both, a vertical and a horizontal axis. Additionally, many pieces further incorporate tactile indicia to convey the orientation of the individual piece.

The puzzle is cut using a non-abrasive waterjet to ensure a tight tolerance between the pieces; the method results in a cut that allows the pieces to have an interlocking fit with about 0.004″ between the pieces, providing positive feedback for both sighted and visually-impaired assemblers, and allowing an assembled, or partially assembled, puzzle to be moved without accidental or incidental disassembly. The puzzle is constructed of a washable material that may be disinfected, and printed with water-resistant ink, allowing it to be used in a group setting, including, without limitation, child care, senior, and health provider care centers, where it may be enjoyed by both sighted and visually impaired assemblers. Puzzles have universal appeal, and the puzzle with tactile clues may be assembled by two people, such as a parent and child, regardless of the visual acuity of both individuals, as the tactile clues appeal to by the sighted and visually impaired. A parent could assemble a puzzle of the present invention with a young child that is visually impaired, a child could assemble a puzzle of the present invention with a senior parent suffering from macular degeneration, or everyone involved could be either sighted or visually impaired, either related or unrelated, and of similar or disparate ages. A guide puzzle consisting of two to four pieces, may be included with the primary puzzle to instruct the assembler on the method of assembly and to provide a reference for the final image.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved puzzle with tactile clues that has all of the advantages of the prior art puzzles for the visually impaired and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved puzzle with tactile clues that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved puzzle with tactile clues that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making the puzzle with tactile clues economically available to the buying public.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new puzzle with tactile clues that provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description refers to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a current embodiment of a puzzle with tactile clues constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a middler piece of the puzzle of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an edge piece of the puzzle present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a corner piece of the puzzle of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the assembled puzzle of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view with two exploded pieces of the guide puzzle of the present invention.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-4 , a preferred embodiment of a puzzle with tactile clues as described by the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10. It can be readily appreciated by anyone with knowledge of puzzles that the invention constitutes a kit of pieces that are to be assembled to solve the puzzle. The completed puzzle is shown, but will be furnished to the assembler in unassembled form. As shown, the pieces of the puzzle interlock to form a picture 12, artwork or illustration similar to conventional puzzles known in the art that is printed on the front of the puzzle. The picture 12 may be split into several sections 14 comprised of various symbols 16 or multiple images. The picture 12 and the sections 14 are cordoned by borders 18. The borders 18 comprise clued indicia that are raised for tactile feedback Although the puzzle shown is cordoned into sections 14 with borders 18, the relevant feature is that the image has a top and bottom, defining a vertical orientation, or axis, and, subsequently, a horizontal axis defined by the left and right sides of the image. In the embodiment shown, vertical borders 20 are straight lines which constitute tactile indicia for the vertical axis; horizontal borders 22 are squiggly lines, which are also tactile indicia and used to convey the horizontal axis. It can be readily appreciated that the border indications are not confined to horizontal and squiggly lines, but rather any consistent pattern for horizontal indicia, and a distinguishable pattern for vertical indicia, wherein the horizontal and vertical indicia are distinguishable from one another are consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention. As shown, the puzzle pieces fit tightly with not much space between the pieces: the puzzle is cut using a non-abrasive waterjet to ensure a tight tolerance between the pieces; the method results in a cut that allows the pieces to fit with about 0.004″ between the pieces.

Each image 16 within each section 14 is also printed with a raised print that offers tactile feedback. The present invention is printed using a method similar to giclée printing of fine art prints, and uses a water-resistant ink that allows the puzzle to be cleaned without damaging the image. In the embodiment shown, the images 16 of each section 14 constitute recurring symbols 16. This embodiment is geared towards beginners or novices, but one can readily appreciate that more complex images and patterns may be used. The images 16 may be raised, or the images 16 could constitute voids in surrounding raised print. Either is within the spirit and scope of the invention.

In FIG. 2 , a middler 24, or interior, piece of a new and improved puzzle with tactile clues 10 of the present invention for is illustrated and will be described. A middler piece 24 generally comprises tabs 26 and blanks 28 that fit together to assemble the puzzle. While the terms tabs and blanks are used in this document, puzzlers refer to appendages and receivers of puzzle pieces by numerous terms, including males and females, knobs and locks, innies and outies, keys and slots, bumps and pockets, loops and sockets, interjambs and indentations. It is understood that regardless of term, the form of assembly is generally reliant upon a unique manner of fitting the pieces together. It is also understood that while each middler piece 24 generally includes at least one tab 26 or blank 28, puzzle difficulty can be increased by varying the number of tabs 26 and blanks 28, allowing the piece to mimic an edge or corner piece, or omitting the tabs 28 and blanks 28 altogether, requiring the assembler to fit the piece into a void formed by other pieces. What should be appreciated is that each middler piece 24, and each piece of the puzzle, has an orientation determined by the picture, and thus has top, bottom, left and right sides. The top and bottom define a vertical axis; the left and right sides define a horizontal axis. An element of invention is that the tabs and blanks of the vertical axis are distinct from the tabs and blanks of the horizontal axis. In the embodiment shown, horizontal tabs and blanks are conical, comprising smooth, rounded curves, creating tactile piece orientation indicia. Vertical tabs and blanks have vertices, creating points with angles that can be felt as tactile indicia, offering a piece orientation clue which serves as another point of feedback to the assembler.

Turning now to FIG. 3 , an edge piece of the present invention is shown and will be described. The edge piece is similar to a middler piece with at least one side having an edge without a tab or blank 32. While the edge 32 is straight for a rectangular puzzle, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate the edge 32 can be curved for a circular puzzle, or otherwise be shaped to form an edge 32 that corresponds to the shape of the puzzle. As previously noted, for increased difficulty, a middler piece may also mimic an edge piece in appearance. An inventive aspect of the edge piece 32 shown is that it does not require a physical frame to guide the assembler. The current embodiment also omits indicia along the edge that is devoid of a tab or blank. It can readily be appreciated that border indicia could be used to frame a non-sectioned picture, or as a general frame of the picture. The purpose is to provide some tactile uniformity, regardless of how the information is conveyed.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , corner pieces 34 are illustrated and will be described. A corner piece 34 typically has two sides 36 without a tab or blank Depending on the shape of the puzzle, the “sides” may merely be portions of a curve or another shape, and middlers and edge pieces may also be configured to mimic corner pieces to increase the difficulty level of the puzzle. In the embodiment shown, a frame is not used to provide additional feedback, but such a frame could be employed to assist the assembler in orienting the corner. The present invention provides additional tactile feedback to indicate a corner piece 34 by using an optional whimsy piece 38 that fits within a void defined by the corner piece. The whimsy 38 is a distinct shape. In the current embodiment, each whimsy 38 is a symbol that is used as part of the picture shown on the puzzle, and a unique whimsy 38 is used for each corner piece.

Now viewing FIG. 5 , a perspective view of the puzzle of the current invention is shown. In the perspective view, it can be readily appreciated that the image 40 on the puzzle is raised, providing tactile feedback on the picture that is shown once the puzzle is assembled. It is also understood that the puzzle orientation indicia 42 are raised, providing tactile feedback. The image and indicia texture are printed onto the puzzle using a technology similar to the giclée printing process used for fine art reproductions; this allows for raised, textured print, and obviates the need for more expensive 3-D fabrication of pieces.

FIG. 6 is a guide puzzle 44 of the present invention. The guide puzzle is a simple version of the puzzle with tactile clues that is included to demonstrate the assembly and image of the puzzle with tactile clues 10. While a guide could simply be a single piece print to allow a visually impaired person to feel the image printed on the puzzle with tactile clues, use of a simple puzzle with two to four interlocking pieces (not including the whimsy pieces) allows an assembler to feel the other tactile clues, including the puzzle orientation indicia 18, and the piece orientation indicia conveyed by the tabs 26 and blanks 28. It also provides the whimsies 28 to assist in corner orientation. The guide puzzle is a simple version of the main puzzle that has larger pieces that are readily distinguishable from the puzzle with tactile clues.

In use, it can now be understood that the puzzle with tactile clues comprises a kit of pieces for assembly. The assembled version of the pieces comprises distinguishable vertical and horizonal indicia. The picture displayed by the assembled puzzle define the pieces as having a top and bottom defining a vertical axis, and a left and right defining a horizontal axis. The individual pieces have tactile clues that allow an assembler to orient each piece vertically and horizontally. In the current embodiment, the tactile clues are incorporated into the tabs and blanks used for assembling the pieces.

Another inventive aspect of the puzzle is that it is cut using a waterjet. As opposed to fretsaw or die-cut pieces, the waterjet process allows for much tighter tolerances between pieces. This allows a tighter fit between the pieces, allowing the assembler better feedback on correct assembly even if vision impairment makes the image of the assembled photo difficult for the assembler to view.

Another inventive aspect of the puzzle is that it is manufactured of a washable material, such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which is used in the current embodiment. The printing process also ensures the image on the puzzle is water resistant, so it is also washable. The use of a washable material allows the puzzle to be cleaned and disinfected, allowing it to be used by different assemblers in environments, such as nurseries, day care centers, or hospitals, where there are concerns of fomite transmission.

While a preferred embodiment of the puzzle with tactile clues has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For example, any suitable sturdy material that can be water cut and disinfected may be used instead of the PVC described. The tactile puzzle orientation clues are straight and squiggly lines, but other distinguishable shapes, such as dotted or dashed lines, may be used.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A puzzle with tactile clues comprising a kit of interlocking pieces, said assembled puzzle having a front, a top and bottom defining a vertical puzzle axis, and left and right sides defining a horizontal puzzle axis, wherein one of said puzzle axes comprises a first puzzle indicia oriented with a puzzle axis.
 2. The puzzle of claim 1 further comprises a second puzzle indicia oriented with the second puzzle axis.
 3. The puzzle of claim 2 wherein said first and second puzzle indicia comprise raised print.
 4. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein each interlocking piece has a left and right sides defining a first piece axis and a top and bottom defining a second piece axis, wherein a plurality of said pieces comprise a first piece indicia indicating a first piece axis.
 5. The puzzle of claim 4, further comprising an image printed with raised print on said front.
 6. The puzzle of claim 5 manufactured of a washable material.
 7. A puzzle with tactile clues comprising a kit of interlocking pieces for assembly into a unique configuration, wherein each interlocking piece has a left and right side defining a first piece axis and a top and bottom defining a second piece axis, wherein a plurality of said pieces have a first piece indicia indicating a first piece axis.
 8. The puzzle of claim 7 wherein said interlocking pieces interlock via tabs on a first piece and a shape defining a blank for receipt of said tab on a second piece, said tab and said blank incorporating said piece indicia.
 9. The puzzle of claim 8, said puzzle cut by non-abrasive waterjet to ensure said interlocking pieces interlock with one another with a tolerance of less than 0.005″.
 10. The puzzle of claim 9, said assembled configuration having a front, a top and bottom defining a vertical puzzle axis, and left and right sides defining a horizontal puzzle axis, wherein said front has an image printed with raised print.
 11. The puzzle of claim 10, wherein one of said puzzle axes has a first puzzle indicia oriented with said axis.
 12. A puzzle with tactile clues comprising a kit of interlocking pieces for assembly into a unique configuration, said assembled puzzle having a front, a top and bottom defining a vertical puzzle axis, and left and right sides defining a horizontal puzzle axis; said interlocking pieces having a top and bottom defining a vertical piece axis and left and right sides defining a horizontal axis, at least one said piece has at least one tab, and at least one said piece defining a blank for receiving and interlocking said tab, comprising a tactile image on said front printed with raised print.
 13. The puzzle of claim 12 further comprising a first puzzle indicia oriented with a puzzle axis.
 14. The puzzle of claim 12 further comprising a first piece orientation indicia encoded in said tab.
 15. The puzzle of claim 12 wherein interlocking pieces that define corners of said puzzle further incorporate a distinct whimsey piece.
 16. The puzzle with tactile clues of claim 12 wherein said kit includes no more than four interlocking pieces for assembly into a second puzzle that conveys the image and format of the puzzle with tactile clues.
 17. The puzzle of claim 12 wherein said pieces are cut by non-abrasive waterjet with a tolerance of less than 0.005″.
 18. The puzzle of claim 17 comprised of a washable material. 